A night of chaos unfolded in the Harehills area of Leeds late Thursday as a police car was overturned and a bus set on fire. Hundreds of people took to the streets, prompting the West Yorkshire Police to label the situation a “serious disorder incident” and urging residents to stay indoors.
Social media has been flooded with videos showing large crowds and scenes of unrest. The cause of the disturbance remains unclear.
In a statement released on Friday, the West Yorkshire Police confirmed that the situation is ongoing and a significant number of public order officers have been deployed to the area.
Initial reports indicate that the disturbance began around 5 p.m. BST on Luxor Street. According to The Guardian, the unrest may be linked to issues involving agency workers and children. A local restaurant owner reported that some community members responded to children being taken into care by setting fires and throwing stones.
Home Secretary and West Yorkshire MP Yvette Cooper expressed her shock at the events. “Disorder of this nature has no place in our society. My thanks go to West Yorkshire police for their response. I am being kept regularly updated,” Cooper wrote on X.
The West Yorkshire Police confirmed that no injuries have been reported so far. Detectives from Leeds CID and the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating the criminal offences, including the damage to vehicles caused by the fire.
“We wish to reassure residents that we are responding to the disorder incidents which have taken place, and that appropriate specialist public order resources are attending,” the police statement read. “We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible.”
The police are treating the incident as a serious public order matter, with efforts ongoing to restore calm and order to the area.